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1243421

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of children in England without a laptop or tablet.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103485
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103486 103487 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243422

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, by what date his Department completed distribution of all laptops, tablets and 4G wireless routers to eligible pupils during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103486
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103485 103487 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1243423

registered interest
date	14/10/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Children: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many laptops, tablets and 4G routers the Government has distributed to eligible pupils during the coronavirus outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	103487
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 20/10/2020 answer text <p>The Department has already delivered over 220,000 laptops and tablets and over 50,000 4G wireless routers to disadvantaged children who would not otherwise have had online access, as part of over £160 million invested to support remote education and access to online social care.</p><p>The Department is now supplementing this support by making an additional 250,000 laptops and tablets available in the event that face-to-face schooling is disrupted as a result of local COVID-19 restrictions and children become reliant on remote education. We are also working with the major telecommunications companies to improve internet connectivity for disadvantaged and vulnerable families who rely on a mobile internet connection.</p><p>The laptops and tablets are an injection of support to help local authorities and academy trusts to provide access to remote education and online social care services during the COVID-19 restriction period.</p><p>The Department arrived at an allocated number of devices by estimating how many pupils are without access to a device. The Department did this by combining data on the number of pupils eligible for Free School Meals in each school, with an assumption that some pupils’ needs will be met by the devices provided by the schools. The Department used the BESA ICT 2019 survey data on the average number of laptops and tablets in primary and secondary schools and assumed that these are distributed between teachers and pupils.</p><p>The Department has published data about the delivery of laptops and tablets, which can be viewed here: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/Devices_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/912888/laptops and tablets_and_4G_wireless_routers_progress_data_as_of_27_August_2020.pdf</a>.</p><p> </p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 103485 103486 question first answered 20/10/2020 12:49:15 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1234656

registered interest
date	15/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Home Education
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent estimate he has made of the number of school-age children in England whose parents have elected to educate them at home; and what the sources are for that data.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	90118
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>The Department does not collect statistics on the number of children in home education.</p><p>In relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department is working closely with local authorities to encourage a return to full attendance in school and is monitoring the situation. Initial conversations with local authorities indicate that the majority have noticed an increase in enquiries from parents about home education. Where parents are anxious about the safety of their children returning to school, local authorities and school leaders are reinforcing that it is in the best interests of pupils to return to school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 90119 question first answered 23/09/2020 08:55:22 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1234657

registered interest
date	15/09/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Home Education: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made of the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on the number of parents in England who elect to home-educate their school age children; and what plans his Department has to monitor that effect.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	90119
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/09/2020 answer text <p>The Department does not collect statistics on the number of children in home education.</p><p>In relation to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department is working closely with local authorities to encourage a return to full attendance in school and is monitoring the situation. Initial conversations with local authorities indicate that the majority have noticed an increase in enquiries from parents about home education. Where parents are anxious about the safety of their children returning to school, local authorities and school leaders are reinforcing that it is in the best interests of pupils to return to school.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 90118 question first answered 23/09/2020 08:55:22 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1193661

registered interest
date	06/05/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Remote Education: Computers
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what criteria he uses to define disadvantage when deciding which disadvantaged year 10 pupils are eligible for laptops and tablets under his scheme to support remote education during the covid-19 outbreak.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	43883
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/05/2020 answer text <p>The Government has committed over £100 million to support remote education while schools are closed for most children.</p><p>We are providing laptops and tablets to disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in Year 10, those receiving support from a social worker, including pre-school children, or are a care leaver.</p><p> </p><p>Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and children in Year 10 do not have internet connections, we will be providing 4G internet hotspots so that they can learn at home.</p><p> </p><p>Local authorities, academy trusts and other relevant organisations overseeing schools have been given guidance on how to request and order devices. We believe that local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to identify and prioritise children and young people who need devices.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 43904 question first answered 12/05/2020 16:56:58 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1187098

registered interest
date	23/03/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Coronavirus
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to support schools remaining open for vulnerable children and children whose parents are key workers during (a) the Easter holidays and (b) bank holidays.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	33509
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/04/2020 answer text <p>Schools will continue to receive their budgets for the coming year, as usual, regardless of any periods of partial or complete closure. This will ensure that they are able to continue to pay their staff and meet their other regular financial commitments, as we move through these extraordinary times.</p><p>The Department recognises that schools may face additional costs as a result of COVID-19. We have put in place a new process to reimburse schools for exceptional costs they may be facing. This includes support for pupils who are eligible for free school meals but cannot attend school and are not covered by the national voucher scheme, and additional premises costs for schools that remain open through the Easter holidays.</p><p>The scheme will give schools the reassurances they need to enable them to concentrate on their vital role in supporting the nation through this crisis. Details of the scheme were published on 7 April and are available here:<br> <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-financial-support-for-schools/school-funding-exceptional-costs-associated-with-coronavirus-covid-19-for-the-period-march-to-july-2020</a>.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 21/04/2020 14:44:32 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180076

registered interest
date	24/02/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Harlow
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to increase funding for schools in Harlow.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	19821
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2020 answer text <p>​The Department is increasing school funding by £14 billion over the next three years, starting with £2.6 billion in 2020-21 and followed by increases of £4.8 billion and £7.1 billion in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively, compared to 2019-20.</p><p>Overall, school funding is increasing by 5% in 2020-21 alone – a significant increase, and we will continue to distribute that funding through the National Funding Formula (NFF), which ensures that funding is based on schools’ and pupils’ needs and characteristics. This will ensure that per-pupil funding for every school can rise at least in line with inflation next year; and faster than inflation for most.</p><p>Under the NFF schools in Harlow will attract an additional £4.6 million in total cash funding next year, a 7% increase compared to last year, taking their total cash funding up to £70.1 million. This reflects a 5.4% increase in per pupil funding when compared to last year.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 03/03/2020 15:57:49 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1180110

registered interest
date	24/02/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Department for Education: Civil Society
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the total amount of funding from the public purse given by his Department to (a) civil society and (b) campaigning bodies in each of the last five years.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	19828
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 03/03/2020 answer text <p>The Department funds organisations across sectors to deliver its priorities. This ranges from large construction companies which build schools to small charities such as the Anna Freud Centre who are delivering looked-after children's mental health assessment pilots. We do not currently differentiate between charities, campaigning bodies or other non-profit organisations.</p><p>The Department does regularly publish a comprehensive supplier spend report here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-and-executive-agency-spend-over-25000-2019-to-2020" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dfe-and-executive-agency-spend-over-25000-2019-to-2020</a>.</p><p>The Government also publishes a list of grant expenditure above £25,000 as part of routine Government Transparency. Reports dating from 2013 can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-grants-register" target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-grants-register</a>.</p><p>DfE’s default commercial policy is that requirements provided by third party organisations are subject to competition. This includes contracts and general grants. Where the requirement will lead to a contract, the procurement must be compliant with the Public Contract Regulations 2015.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb question first answered 03/03/2020 16:04:03 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon

1179331

registered interest
date	21/02/2020
answering body	Department for Education
answering dept id	60
answering dept short name	Education
answering dept sort name	Education
hansard heading	Schools: Finance
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	to ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he plans to take to ensure adequate funding for schools.
tabling member constituency	Harlow
tabling member printed	Robert Halfon
uin	18756
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/02/2020 answer text <p>The Department is giving schools the largest cash boost in a decade, investing a total of £14 billion additional funding for schools over the next three years. This will allow school funding to increase by £2.6 billion in 2020-21, followed by increases of £4.8 billion and £7.1 billion in 2021-22 and 2022-23 respectively, compared to 2019-20.</p><p>We will continue to distribute funding through the National Funding Formula (NFF), which ensures that funding is based on schools’ and pupils’ needs and characteristics. This will ensure that per-pupil funding for every school can rise at least in line with inflation next year; and faster than inflation for most. On average schools are attracting 4.2% more per pupil.</p><p>We have also recently laid regulations in Parliament which give legal force to the new minimum per pupil funding levels. This will allow us to aid the lowest funded schools to ensure that every secondary school attracts at least £5,000 per pupil next year, and every primary school at least £3,750 – on the path to receiving at least £4,000 per pupil the following year.</p><p>Finally, we have removed the gains cap in the NFF for 2020-21, so that all schools will attract their full allocations under the formula. This means that we can deliver the greatest gains to areas historically underfunded to ensure that they have the right investment to deliver an outstanding education.</p><p>The Department will continue to move towards a ‘hard’ national formula as soon as possible, meaning a single national formula will determine every school’s final budget, rather than it being set independently by each local authority. We will work closely with local authorities and the sector in making this transition carefully.</p> answering member constituency Bognor Regis and Littlehampton answering member printed Nick Gibb grouped question UIN 18791 question first answered 28/02/2020 17:05:38 answering member 111 label Biography information for Nick Gibb
tabling member	3985 label Biography information for Robert Halfon